He “Pumped The Throttle” 2-3 Times But The Engine Did Not Respond

Location: Sadler, TX Accident Number: CEN21LA078
Date & Time: December 7, 2020, 15:28 Local Registration: N423WH
Aircraft: Vans RV4 Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On December 7, 2020, at 1528 central standard time, a Vans RV-4 airplane, N423WH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sadler, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot told investigators that he had been practicing low approaches at a private grass airstrip when he elected to land. He determined he would land too far down the runway and initiated a go around. He said the engine initially responded, but then the engine power rolled back to idle. He “pumped the throttle” 2-3 times but the engine did not respond. He subsequently landed on the runway and the airplane overran the end of the runway and flipped over. The rudder, elevator, and left wing sustained substantial damage.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov